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Government invests millions into cycling schemes

The Government has announced that it spend more than £94 million on cycling schemes across England.

David Cameron said "a lot of people want to cycle and we want to make it easier for them to do so."

"Only 2% of journeys in this country are made by cycle. In Germany it's 14% and in Holland it's 33%. So we could do a lot better."

But Labour accused the government of doing too little too late to support cycling in England.

The Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle said the government axed £60 million of government funding when they took power, and was now "playing catch up" because of the rise of popularity in the sport.

Eight cities will share some £77 million to improve cycling routes and to boost participation.

Greater Manchester - £20 million

West Yorkshire - £18.1 million

Birmingham £17 million

West of England £ 7.8 million

Newcastle £5.7 million

Cambridge £4.1 million

Norwich £3.7 million

Oxford £0.8 million

David Cameron speaks to children involved in a 'Go Ride' cycling event in Watford Credit: Alastair Grant/PA Wire

In Greater Manchester the local authority intends to use the funds to introduce "Cycle and Ride" stations similar to the Boris bikes used in London.

While in Birmingham, 130 miles of safe routes just for cyclists are to be marked out across the city.

ITV News correspondent Rupert Evelyn reports on what the investment will mean in the Midlands

Next year, Yorkshire will play host to two stages of the Tour De France. The region hopes to capitalise on the interest in Le Tour to encourage more people to take up cycling.

The government money will be used to improve a cycling route between the centre of Leeds and Bradford.

Launching the scheme, Councillor James Lewis from Leeds City Council said: "the dedicated segregated pathway will mean that cyclists can stay away from cars to allow for safer journeys, and we hope it will also encourage commuters to leave their cars and cycle to work."

Four national parks will share £17 million to improve cycling routes across their areas.

Peak District £5 million

Dartmoor £4.4 million

South Downs £3.8 million

New Forest £3.6 million

In Derbyshire four new cycle routes will be opened up across the Peak District. It's hoped the ‘Pedal Peak’ scheme will help an estimated 3.5 million people get within reach of the cycle network in the national park.